Residential water management system (RWMS)

ABSTRACT

A full and complete Water Management System developed into a single programmable electronic controller specifically designed to both aid in Water Conservation, and provide full control and monitoring of all aspects of a plumbing system, including Water Usage Counting, Flow Control, Leak Detection, Water Heater on/off, hot water temperature and irrigation/sprinkler system(s); A device which allows the user to monitor, control, purge and adjust the entirity of a plumbing system; A device which applies the principle . . . (“increased pressure IS=decreased flow” . . . , therefore “stable pressure IS ALSO=absence of flow”) . . . to facilitate a completely accurate method of leak detection in plumbing; A device which provides property damage prevention, reduced opportunity for toxic mold development resulting in more healthy living environment(s); An Innovative Technologies Approach to Water Conservation and user friendly tool, to develop, monitor and participate in the urgent need to conserve drinking (potable) water resources.

1. FIELD, BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The invention relates to a Logic. Based Electronic ControllerDevice for monitoring and control of ones residential and or smallbusiness water piping system, also frequently referred to as plumbing.This device utilizes, state of the art electronics and programming forthe control of and in concert with various forms of peripheral devicesincluding: electrically activated solenoid valves for control of waterflow through a piping system, and with pressure sensor(s) for thepurpose of receiving signals which are used to monitor water pressurewithin a piping system, and with Flow Counting Devices for determiningvolumes of flow through piping measured in U.S. Gallons, and withthermal sensors for the purpose of receiving signals which reflect thetemperature of water in a water heater measured in thermal degreesFahrenheit, and with electrically actuated relay(s) for the purpose ofcontrolling the flow of electrical or gas energy which produce a heatsource for heating water, and with a plurality of solenoid valves forthe purpose of irrigation.

[0003] 2. Background

[0004] In the United States alone, repeated from town to town, trillionsupon trillions of gallons of treated and potable water are lost eachyear due to two major deterrents to conservation efforts. These two seeminsurmountable until seen in the light of simplicity. First and mostobvious yet also most ignored is leaking plumbing fixtures and pipes.Estimates from the largest water-management districts throughout theUnited States reflect that as much as ⅓^(rd) of all water ever producedfor potable water supply is simply lost to dripping leaks due to badflapper valves in toilets and leaking washers in faucets and fixtures orunderground-undetected leaks. Since an estimate of the volume of thisloss for one major Southern California Water District reaches anapproximated 10.3 Trillion Gallons per year and the much smaller Utilitysupplying the local Pensacola Fla. area looses another 0.75 TrillionGallons to the same foe, it simply boggles any reasonable mind toimagine what the National and or even Worldwide loss volume would be.Particularly when it is realized that this terrible waste is caused byPROCRASTINATION for the most part. Most people recognize a sound that isheard in the stillness of the night or the quietness of a day when atoilet runs for a few seconds and then runs again a few minutes later.While simple replacement with a new flapper valve would stop this, andthis item costs less than 10 dollars U.S., night after night we ignorethe sound until it becomes a part of our normal household sounds, andthen we forget it all together, thus the dilemma. Likewise we see orhear dripping in tubs, showers, and sinks or hose bibs and ignore themalso. Thus the dilemma is compounded. To solve this, it is reasonable toexpect that if a system would provide a gentle but constant prompting,that most would seek to repair these leaks and thus save a dwindling andprecious resource. The second deterrent to successful water conservationon a scale, which could make a difference, is that in order for WaterConservation Participation to increase in homes and small businesses,the user must have easily acquired information, which is essential forconservation planning and monitoring the success of such a plan.Currently the public at large is only given the totally inconvenienttask of walking to the water meter and digging through mud and spidersto take a visual reading of their water usage. Only to be followed by amathematical formula which first converts the reading from Cubic Feet ofWater to Gallons of water? This is only made more difficult for many bythe fact that the last two digits of that reading often only reflecthundredths of a single cubic foot so many miscalculate believing theseto be whole numbers. Following a correct conversion, the “potential homeconservationist” is then required to perform a more simple mathematicalsubtraction of any previous gallons from the current calculated gallonsresults. This then finally results in the amount of usage that hasoccurred since this laborious task was last accomplished. Imagine thatyou want to know how much you use during a shower and you have to do allthis each time, and how much your children used and you must do itagain, or how much you used yesterday, last month, or even how much youused last year? What is your average usage per day, week, month, oryear? How many trips to the meter and mathematical conversions andsubtractions would it take to gain all of this information which isparamount to home conservation planning and success? Even more importantis . . . how many trips to the meter before you stop participating? Andso in lies the problem! This type of activity is far too laborious andtime intensive, and while studies around the country show that peopleare willing to assist in conservation, participation is scarce at best.To combat this deterrent to participation in conservation requires adevice that mounts in a convenient location in the home or smallbusiness setting. A device, which constantly gathers this informationfor you, and displays it back to you through easy to navigate menus.With such a device a family could make conservation a fun dailyactivity, and thus create a habit of conserving. Children would gaintremendous pleasure in having such a device to count how much they usewhen they shower, and then write it on a simple tracking chart so thatthey can see the gallons that they are helping to save. And if thisdevice would also allow you to set a daily amount which would be youroverall usage goal and it would give alarm when you exceed that amount,then people would begin to think about why the alarm had sounded, and ifit were a result of water waste. Given the correct tool, participationin home water conservation would reach numbers never dreamed possible byTownships, Utilities, Water:Management District, and Boards. Each havingstaffs of employees trying to elicit this support and having goals fortheir water conservation programs. While the device that is specified inthis application was developed to specifically address these criticalconservation issues, it was evident to us that such a device could do somuch more at the same time. It could help to reduce the estimated 56Billion Dollars spent each year in insurance claims for water damage toproperty caused by plumbing leaks. It could reduce the Billions that areexpected to be spent each year on Health Related issues arising, fromToxic Mold Related Illness that require water to live and grow, andwhere plumbing related leaks have been determined to be the number onecause. But why stop there? Why not a fully augmented device for totalcontrol of all aspects of a plumbing system in the home or smallbusiness? Able to also control hot water heater on and off states andset the temperature that they operate at. A Device, able to also controla lawn and garden sprinkler system. Able to drain a plumbing system sothat pipes don't burst due to freezing during the absence of theproperty owner. A device, that causes a plumbing system to sleep whenyou do. A device, operating from user programming that matches dailylifestyle. Thus the single device, which does all of this, isrepresented by this application for patent and is called the ResidentialWater Management System, yet it's design and purpose also fit the needsof the Small Businesses as well.

PURPOSE(S) OF THE INVENTION:

[0005] The purpose(s) are to help to solve Water Conservation Deterrentsby eliminating water waste due to leaky plumbing and fixtures and toprovide the necessary tool to user that make Home Land Small BusinessWater Conservation Participation simple, thus encouraging thisparticipation in numbers that dwarf those currently realized.Additionally, the RWMS will control unwanted water flow, defend againstdamage caused to property by water leaks, defend against development ofmold spores developed when plumbing leaks, defend against damage to oneshot water heater and or fires caused by operation of empty heaters dueto plumbing leaks, provide programmable control of Irrigation Specificwater usage, and provide a tool to fully monitor ones home or smallbusiness water usage data and or statistics. The system willautomatically control an electrical operated hot water heater to includeits on and off states, and also to include its operating temperature.The RWMS has the optional ability to provide gravity siphon and or pumpassisted purge and or drain function to evacuate the water from aplumbing system. This function will allow the home and or business ownerto purge their water system during vacations or extended periods awayfrom the structure for the purpose of preventing freezing relatedbursting of pipes and or plumbing. Use of this system throughout Americaand the World could eliminate ⅓^(rd) of the water waste due to leakyplumbing and fixtures and elicit additional water resource savingsthrough encouragement of conservation participation. Our invention willsignificantly aid the ongoing Water Conservation Efforts at theFederal,State, and Local levels, by giving the Residential and SmallBusiness user a easy to use and centrally located source for watermonitoring, with return data about usage in gallons without their havingto perform complex mathematical calculations and without the need toleave the dwelling or business interior. The largest portion of thepopulation WILL NOT go to their water meters and back calculate waterconsumption. But they would use a home appliance that counted their usefor them. Studies by Automobile Associations show that 96% of people whoreceive various warning lights while driving seek same day repairs, thusif the same were true when the device warned of leaks then the savingsin Water Resources would be tremendous. The RWMS device is of particularimportance for installation in Multi Level Condo and ApartmentComplexes, where water leaks in higher units gravitate downward andcompound damage by also damaging vertically adjacent units.

2. DIFFERENCE TO THE RELATED ART

[0006] While several patents have been granted for somewhat similarproducts, and their merit is recognized, they are NOT fully augmentedWater Management System(s). They also employ methods of leak detectionwhich cannot determine small leaks since drip detection is not easilyfacilitated through flow detection. Others rely on moisture sensorsplaced throughout a structure, which can easily fail to detect waterleaks at all. Others are not cost effective for the home or smallbusiness owner. An example of a system that is not cost effective isseen in the prior art Patented as U.S. Pat No. 5,441,070 Aug. 15, 1995by Thompson, which deploys an array of flow detecting sensors, solenoidvalves and wiring to all water usage points within the entire structure.This approach, though effective for fluid flow control, has complexityand high costs that would make it less desirable than the fewperipherals that are needed by the RWMS. Installation of U.S. Pat No.5,441,070 would not allow for Home Do-It-Yourselfer installation even bythe most savvy and would be a complex, costly and time consuming taskeven for a Professional Plumber. Further, installation of this item ofprior art would be even more problematic and less desirous in existingstructures. Further, maintenance for U.S. Pat No. 5,441,070 wouldexpectedly be much more intensive and most likely more frequent sincethere are so many points of possible failure. Another disadvantage ofthe items seen in the current prior art is that they do not allow forcontrol of the water heater in a plumbing system. Without this controlany system falls shy of being a total water management system, since thewater heater is a standard part of the water/plumbing system in anyDwelling or Small Business. Another item seen in the related art uses adevice which transmits information about water usage through telephoneand or radio communications to a centralized monitoring system, whichadds to the cost of the use of the system on a incremental(monthly/quarterly/annual) basis, being unlike the RWMS which wouldrequire only the initial cost of installation. Another item of prior artrequires installation that places the controls for the system outside ofthe users actual dwelling or business property or in locations thatwould hot be considered by the user to be convenient to daily lifestyle.The discovered related art (to date) do not constitute the functionalityof a full and complete Residential Water Management System (RWMS). Theydo not have a water counter mode and information provided to the userOnscreen for individual water usage events such as showering, washingdishes, etc, which is stated as “The paramount Innovative TechnologyNeeded for Effective Water Conservation Efforts and Public Awareness andParticipation in Water Conservation Goals” as stated by Major WaterManagement Boards, Districts and Utilities. Items of Related Art do nothave user activity oriented modes of operation that are designed tomatch user lifestyle. They do not have the ability to determine smallestof leaks which are reported by the Water Conservation Authorities to bethe worst form of water waste, dripping away as much as ⅓^(rd) ofPotable Water Produced in many Water Management Districts. They are notSpecification Direct Devices that encourage and empower users toestablish and succeeds in Home Water Conservation Planning andExecution. They do not have valves that remain in last state in theevent of a power outage but rather could return to the improper stateduring Commercial Power Outages, leaving the Owner/User unprotected orwithout any water for a period of time until Power is restored. They donot digitally record total usage amounts into internal memory devices tosupport user in statistical recall of this data thus lowering waterconsumption or validating water statements. They do not incorporatewater system control for both normal Residential and or Small Businesswater use with Irrigation System Control in a single attractive wallmounted controller device conveniently located in the dwelling orstructure. Additionally, and not to their discredit, but rather to thesimple factors associated with the timing of technological development,their systems rely on outdated technology and are not able to takeadvantage of modern microcomputer processing technology, miniaturizedcircuitry and memory devices now available to the RWMS, and withoutwhich such a Total Water Management System being delivered to the userin a single Logic Based Electronic Controller was impossible. Thus thename of our device matches it's functionality, and IS a complete andtotal Residential Water Management System (RWMS).

[0007] Though there were many other Items of Related Art that werereviewed as part of this applications preperation, those which werefound to be most closely related are listed below, and are submitted forthe convenience and cosideration of the Examiner: 6,119,720 Sep. 19,2000 Isaacson Jr. et al 5,086,806 Feb. 11, 1992 Engler & Johnson3,416,560 Dec. 17, 1968 Bruno 5,251,653 Oct. 12, 1993 Tucker &Kestermann 4,522,229 Jun. 11, 1985 Moortele 4,518,955 May 21, 1985 Meyer5,881,755 Mar. 16, 1999 Dieringer 5,503,175 Apr. 02, 1996 Ravilious &Grant 4,180,088 Dec. 25, 1979 Mallett 4,911,200 Mar. 27, 1990 Ben-Aire6,129,103 Oct. 10, 2000 Fields, Cutshaw

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] There is a very simple test that is used to check for leaks inpiping conduits. To do this, a temporary valve and pressure gauge isapplied to the system and then pressurized with air to a specific testpressure greater than that which the operational system will bear duringnormal operation. The system is then checked at a later time. If thepressure has visibly dropped on the gauge then the system is determinedto have a leak. Our invention capitalizes on this simple principle tofacilitate an ongoing pressure monitoring and or test of awater/plumbing system and report results through an ElectronicController device. This device then produces audible and/or visualalerts when a pressure test fails (in specific modes) as seen in bothBrief and Detailed Descriptions Sections of this Patent Application. Iftest passes, a visual indication is presented on the controller'sDisplay Screen, which affirms to the user the fact that water is notleaking from the piping system. The water management system outlined inthis document is Specification Designed to meet the afore, mentionedneeds of Water Conservation by aid in elimination of simple leaks andthrough provision of easily acquired data relating to water usage inHomes and or Small Businesses which encourage. Water ConservationAwareness and Participation. It incorporates the; most accurate methodof determining the presences of leaks coupled with outstanding featuresthat afford the device operator with total water system management andmonitoring from a single Electronic Controller Device. The key to theoperational excellence of the RWMS is the use of constant monitoring ofWater Pressure as the methodology to determine that water is escapingthe confines of a closed piping system. With pressure as the trigger foranomaly recognition, the system THEN monitors flow of water in gallons,and will arrest all flow if outside parameters programmed by user and invarious operational modes. In Sleep Mode, no more than an estimated 1.5to 5 gallons of water may flow during such an anomaly, while in watchmode, the user may program the RWMS to allow between 50 and 200 gallonsof flow during a single flow event, again which is originally triggeredby the recognition of a sudden drop in static plumbing system waterpressure. In “Away Mode” the system will prevent any flow at all, andmaintains a closed state at the Main Solenoid Valve, and will onlyreturn to a water on condition when the user either manually changes toanother Operational Mode at the Electronic Controller, or programs theElectronic Controller to automatically return to another mode at aspecific date and time. Thus providing the user with Property DamageProtection that is 100% certain of effectiveness, since damage can'toccur if the water is off.

[0009] For Simplicity the Basic RWMS installation consists of: 1 (one)Logic Based Solid State Electronic Controller, 1 solenoid orelectromechanically actuated bi-positional valve requiring separatesignals to change states, 1 pressure sensor which is sensitive to poundsper square inch of water pressure, 1 (one) flow counting and or meteringsensor, sensitive in 10ths of a gallon per minute (or better). Aconnection for optional electrically powered water pump. A connectionfor an optional solenoid actuated on/off switch for Electric or Gas HotWater Heater and for temperature sensor which applies or are affixed tostandard Electric Water Heaters, and multiple connections for zonecontrol of irrigation specific electrically actuated solenoid valves.NOTE: additional peripheral items are necessary in various modes. Forinstance, if a user chooses to have the ability to purge their watersystem from the RWMS Controller, they are required to install twoadditional solenoid actuated valves. If they choose the ability to usethe Leak Location Feature, then an additional solenoid actuated valveand an additional pressure sensor are necessary.

[0010] The Electronic Controller itself has been developed by contractbetween this Patent Applicant and a Professional Electronics EngineeringFirm, utilizing Knowledge and Technologies inherent to their Profession,and IAW operational characteristics provided and developed by thisPatent Applicant. The sum total of the operational characteristics ofthe RWMS are the subject of this Patent application. The accomplishmentof design to produce these characteristics in a Single Logic BasedElectronic Controller Device is inherent to the Professional Knowledge,Training and Technological Application which is standard to ElectronicDevelopment Engineers in the United States and Worldwide and utilizeperipheral components which are already manufactured and readilyavailable from multiple manufacturing and supply sources. Theseperipherals are Electrically Actuated Solenoid Valves, Water PressureSensors, Water Flow Counting Device/Sensors, Electrically Actuated 220VAC Switches/Relays, and Thin Thermal Sensing Devices. Therefore thefocus of Utility Development and Patent ability of the RWMS is as statedin its Operational Characteristics and accomplished through variousoperational modes which are unique to the RWMS system. No FederalResearch and Development (R&D) aid or funds were used to develop theRWMS System presented in this Patent Application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Operational Modes

[0011] 1. On Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode name inwhich): Water is On. Water Heater is On. No leak detection or flowrestrictions are active. User must manually place RWMS in and out ofthis mode. The user is unprotected from catastrophic damage resultingfrom busted or leaking plumbing systems and or piping while in thisMode. On Mode is automatically abandoned by the RWMS system in the eventof Commercial Power Loss and the system will default to it's normaloperating mode, called the Watch Mode, which is described in brief inthe following paragraph.

[0012] 2. Watch Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): The system will allow large flows, as programmed by the user.The user sets a value in gallons for the amount of flow that enableaudible and visual alerts. Upon reaching this limit, the user may alsoprogram the amount of additional flow that results in the systemshutting off the water system, and water heater (if so equipped). Thedevice will automatically return to this state as The Normal OperatingMode. Since this value would differ from home to home and from businessto business, this value is determined by the user to be the highestvolume of water usage that represents maximum normal usage in their homeor business property. As example, in the home this value would mostlikely be equal to the amount in gallons used to fill a bath tub whilein a business office setting this value would most likely be the amountin gallons used at either a sink or perhaps at a toilet. This is theexpected mode of operation of the unit during times when the user isnormally home or present at a business location, and use of water isEXPECTED. Such as cooking, cleaning, taking showers, washing hands,using toilet, etc . . . Additionally, the user can program a DailyAmount of Expected Water Usage in Gallons as developed in individualWater Conservation Plans, which will provide an audible and visual alarmat the RWMS Electronic Controller if the twenty four (24) hour totalusage of water in gallons exceeds this programmable amount without theinconvenience of having the system to turn the water off. In this waythe RWMS further demonstrates itself to be a Water Conservation Devicesince the user can use this function to set ever decreasing goal volumesof water use at either the Dwelling or Business Property.

[0013] 3. Sleep Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): A daily time(s) programmed to occur by the user of the RWMSdevice when the use of water is NOT EXPECTED. Best examples being: Wheneveryone is asleep at night, or during the day when homes are vacatedfor work and children are in school, or in the business setting would bea time beyond the normal closing time of the business. The system willturn off the water at the supply by electrically actuated solenoid valveinstalled at the union of the plumbing system to the supply (IE . . .just beyond the Water Meter), and monitor for pressure anomalies duringthis time. A pressure decrease of 50% from Benchmark will cause thevalve to open. (The benchmark for pressure is determined at time thatmode is entered, and with ongoing re-calculations to allow for externaltemperature and barometric pressure changes) During any individual flowevent, while in this mode of operation, the system will restrict waterflow to the amount in gallons that has been determined at the initialtime of installation. To do this, the unit will be manually placed intothis mode immediately following completion of installation and a toiletin the house will be flushed. Since toilets vary between 1.3 and 4.7gallons of cyclic usage, the RWMS will be learning the amount of flow ingallons which constitute an over usage per individual installation, andwill set this amount as maximum flow during any single anomaly eventwhile in Sleep Mode. RWMS will immediately turn water off, and alertuser through audible and visual alarms if this threshold is reached. Byallowing for a flow of within this range, the RWMS permits thoseinfrequent occasions when water use does occur during times when it isNot Expected. The best examples being when the user awakes in the nightand flushes a toilet, gets a glass of water, or when the automaticicemaker cycles to produce ice. If so equipped, the Hot Water Heaterwill also be disabled (Electric Only in Initial Production, gas controlto follow) through the use of a (220 VAC) Relay Switch, installed inlinewith the Water Heater Power Source. Should flow not reach this maximumflow amount, and pressure return to a stable level for a periodacceptable to represent a return to benchmark prior to anomaly or a newbenchmark, then system will reset awaiting next pressure anomaly. Ifanomalies occur with frequency during this mode, then the system willdetermine that a leak exists an act according to severity estimate:“Minor” (water is turned off, but re-awakens at any programmed time,while delivering audible and visual alerts from the ElectronicController Assembly. The audible alarm will not begin until theprogrammed awaken time to prevent unnecessary awakening of the user).Minor means that the time for Pressure to reach of drop of 50% ofbenchmark is equal to and represents a flow at a rate in which thepotential for damage to the property is greater than acceptable but lessthan severe. Water flow is disrupted for purposes of both damageprevention, and for Water Conservation The system will awaken at anyuser programmed time for user convenience yet continue visual andaudible alarms that notify the user of any leak condition discoveredduring this mode.

[0014] “Severe” (water is instantly turned off, audible alarm elevatesin Db level, user is required to reset alarm and water system does notawaken as programmed by user) The option to have the Hot Water Heater Onor Off during this time will also assure that water heaters do notattempt to heat a possibly empty tank, thus providing fire protection asa result. Severe means that the time for Pressure to reach a drop of 50%of benchmark was equal to and represents a significant flow with greatpotential to damage property and waste potable water resources. The flowof water is stopped to prevent property damage and for the purpose ofWater Conservation.

[0015] 4. Away Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): User causes device to communicate with peripheral devicesthat discontinue all water flow from source and may also electricallycause the disabling of a water heater in a water piping system. Thismode can be manually entered and exited from or entered from a menuselection that allows for the setting of a pre-determined date and timein which the system would automatically return to any appropriatealternate mode. In example, if the date and time matched a programmedsetting in which the system should be in the Sleep Mode, then the systemwould return to that mode otherwise the system would return to the WatchMode. This mode is initiated by the user when vacating the home forextended periods of time. Best examples being: Over night or longerstays away from the Residence, or when a Small Business is closed forthe weekend, etc . . . Of course the user can return early and wake thesystem manually, even if they had chosen auto-awaken duringinitialization of the mode.

[0016] 5. Purge Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): One wishes to drain and depressurize the entire piping systemcontrolled by the device. The RWMS turns off the water at the supply(main solenoid valve) and then opens two solenoid valves called the“Drain” solenoid valve, which allows water to drain outside theresidence, and the “Vacuum Release” solenoid valve, which allows an airinlet to prevent vacuum retention of water in the plumbing system. Thedevice supports the option of having an electrically powered pump toassure complete evacuation, which can operate either on AC or DCelectrical current and also supports the option of an additionalsolenoid that drains the hot water heater. Best examples being: Users ofthe RWMS device in geographic areas where extreme cold weather exists,and user wishes to prevent direct and indirect damage due to freezingand bursting of pipes during intentional and extended periods when theproperty is vacated. Many persons in the North of the United Statesspend the winter months in the warmer climate of the South of the UnitedStates, and this optional device mode will be of most significant appealto these while many may choose this option for reasons other than thatused in this example.

[0017] 6. Locate Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): The device communicates with two strategicallyplaced/installed pressure sensors to determine whether a leak detectedby the system is located on the supply section (plumbing from user pointof responsibility to entry point into property) or the property section(all plumbing beyond the point of entry) A solenoid valve known as the“Locate” valve, must be installed in the exact (or closest possible)point that represents the point of entry, and a separate Pressure Sensormust be placed beyond the locate solenoid valve to facilitate thisfunction's use.

[0018] 7. Water Temperature Adjustment Mode: (By this name or having anyoperational mode name in which): The unit will allow for the control ofElectric Water Heater Temperatures ranging from ninety, to one hundredsixty degrees Fahrenheit. To accomplish this, a modification of aStandard Water Heater Thermostat incorporates a thin temperature sensor,and communicates information equal to a thermal reading of current watertemperature to the Electronic Controller. Additionally, a ElectricalRelay will be placed in line with the Power Source (220 VAC), which willallow for the unit to control the Water Heater Power Source throughcommunications with the Electronic Controller and as necessary tocontrol temperature to the user programmed level. The control of anelectric water heater has been accomplished as part of a prototype withcontrol of gas operated water heaters currently being an ongoingprocess.

[0019] 8. Leak Detection Message Programming Capability (By this name orhaving any operational mode name in which): The Controller will be ableto be programmed to display the name and telephone of a Plumbing ServiceProvider. Initially the message should read, “Leak Detected, Call ForService” With programming, the message can read “Leak Detected, Call“XXXXXXXXX” Plumbing Service: 1-800-###-####”, where the name and phonenumber of a plumbing company or service is substituted for the“XXXXXXXXX” and 1-800-###-####. At any time that the system recognizesand reports a leak condition this message would also appear on theElectronic Controller Display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION(S) OF INVENTION

[0020] The following describes detail about the individual operationalcharacteristics of the modes and states related to the RWMS device. Somemode descriptions from previous “Brief Description” section do notappear in this “Detailed Description” section, in that the previousdescription was deemed to sufficiently describe those functions.

[0021] 1. Water On Mode: (By this name or having any operation mode namein which): The RWMS System will allow the user to effectively by-passthe leak detection and flow restrictions as programmed by user. A usermight need to fill a swimming pool, or initially water a newly plantedgarden, or to do any of a number of water usage activities that wouldcause other modes to disrupt water flow either determined that suchusage was a catastrophic level leak or break in the plumbing system orthat the maximum flow established by the user to occur in a singleflowing event had been reached. This mode requires user action, at theElectronic Controller, and effectively makes all leak detection andmaximum flow settings transparent and or disabled. This mode ofoperation is automatically abandoned by the RWMS in the event ofCommercial Power Loss, and; the RWMS will return to the appropriate modeas dictated by the timing programming stored in memory, and asprogrammed by the device Owner/User. Most Simply Stated: During thismode the water is on, and there are no restrictions to amount of Flownor Active Leak Detection or Maximum Flow Restrictions engaged by theRWMS Electronic Controller, allowing user to cause greater amounts offlow than normally expected.

[0022] 2. Watch Mode: (By this name or having any operation mode name inwhich): The RWMS operates to monitor for water flow events that arerecognizable by pressure anomaly. It does this utilizing a well know andfully accepted principle of the relationship between pressure in aclosed system and to the expected change in pressure when flow isincreased or decreased so that when flow exists, pressure decreases. TheRWMS constantly monitors for static pressure in home plumbing systemsand applies an “over time” calculation using an internal clock thatequates amount of flow to static pressure decrease using a standardcurve. The amount of time in which pressure drops in a closed plumbingsystem by 50% from the normal benchmark of pressure directly correlatesto the rate or amount of flow that is occurring. The RWMS uses a logicthat realizes that long periods of time for 50% pressure reductionindicate a drip conditions such as leaky toilet flapper valves or faucetseal(s), while sudden or short periods for 50% reduction in pressure inthat same plumbing system would represent more significant and orcontinuous flow. In the RWMS this reduction of pressure by 50%represents an Anomaly, and is the trigger for all RWMS Logic BasedFunctions in Modes where Leak Detection is active. If the amount of timethat occurs during a 50% reduction in pressure is equal to the mediantime of a dripping flow, then the anomaly is recognized to have found adripping leak. Alternatively, if the amount of time that occurs duringpressure reduction to 50% is equal to the median time for continuousvolume flow then the RWMS activates a Water Flow Counter Device and willterminate water flow by actuation of an electrically actuated solenoidvalve if the amount of flow reaches values in gallons programmed by theuser prior to the anomaly. In this way the RWMS Device can also be usedas a Flow Amount Delivery Device, using the accuracy of Flow Counting todeliver exact amounts of water for such purposes as irrigation orfilling of pools or jacuzzi. The RWMS uniquely solves the problem ofaccurate detection of dripping leaks, while continuing to allow normaldaily water usage activities in the dwelling or structure. This alsouniquely separates the RWMS as a Water Conservation Specific Device,since it will stop water waste from such things as Busted Garden Hoses,Underground Pipe Bursting and other wasteful long time and volume flowsof Potable Water. As an example, the following user relatedcharacteristic of use: The user might choose to have 50 gallons of waterset as a base flow restriction for any given individual flow event.Another user of the RWMS might choose that this same flow restriction be200 gallons. And both RWMS users having the ability to change thissetting from an Electronic Controller mounted inside the Dwelling orStructure. The RWMS operating in this mode will then monitor pressure inthe system to watch for Pressure Anomalies. If the anomaly is determinedto be a constant and or lasting volume of flow the RWMS will thenrestrict the total flow amount to the prescribed user amount in Gallons,while maintaining the unique ability to detect small dripping leaks andreport them.

[0023] Additionally, the user can program a Daily Amount of ExpectedWater Usage in Gallons as developed in Individual Water ConservationPlans, which will provide an audible and visual alarm at the RWMSElectronic Controller if the twenty-four (24) hour total usage of waterin gallons exceeds this programmable amount. In this way the RWMSfurther demonstrates itself to be a Water Conservation Device since theuser can use this function to create ever-decreasing goals for theirtotal volumes of water use with the RWMS providing feedback for bothsuccess and failure to meet individuals pre-determined daily goals fortotal water usage.

[0024] 3. Sleep Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): User Programmed Time when water use is not normally expected.An example would be to have the water system placed into Sleep Mode atMidnight and to awaken from sleep mode at 5 AM. For these 5 hours thewater system would be turned off, and the system would monitor pressurereadings alone. No loss of pressure would mean that the system has noleaks. The unit could be programmed to automatically enter Sleep Modebased on three daily begin sleep and end sleep mode settings which areOwner/User programmable. This allows for a Morning, Afternoon and Nightsetting(s), when most people are not using water in their homes or smallbusinesses. If only the user enters one setting, then only that settingwould automatically place the RWMS in this mode of operation. The systemalso allows for three additional times to be specified during theweekend period, which further allows the user to program this modearound their normal lifestyle and schedules.

[0025] During this time . . . unexpected water use may occur. Forinstance a family member might need to use the rest room, get a glass ofwater, or the Ice Maker might go through a dump and fill cycle. Such anoccurrence would significantly decrease pressure in a closed watersystem in a rapid manner, this sudden decrease in pressure (specificallywhen 50% of normal pressure has diminished) would trigger the system toturn the water back on for a time which would allow for any normal butunexpected water usage, but to a limit of total flow which has a maximumprogrammable value which will be determined at time of installation aspreviously described in the Brief Description section of thisapplication. If flow does not reach the maximum user programmed andallowable value stored in memory expectedly to be between 1.5 and 5gallons, and pressure returns to the benchmark pressure, then the RWMSwill again close the Main Solenoid Valve, and return to PressureMonitoring alone. Since water that is used during these in-frequenttimes is almost always cold water, the system can put the Water Heaterto Sleep, saving more Energy resources. Also, hot water tanks are verywell insulated and thus can hold sufficient hot water without heatsource for enough time that need for occasional hot water during thesetimes would not negatively impact on the user. Additionally the RWMS canbe programmed with a minimum water temperature that does not promotegrowth of bacteria such as that that causes Legionnaires Disease, etc .. . Since the system will wake up at the prescribed/programmed time, itwill also awaken the water heater, and will be ready to deliver hotwater to the user on demand and return itself to the Watch Mode.Naturally Sleep Mode should not be activated during the same timingsettings of a separate Automatic Lawn/Garden Watering system. Since manythat would install the RWMS already have irrigation systems, then it isexpected that they would install RWMS systems that do not have theIrrigation System Control function since this model of the RWMS wouldnaturally cost less.

[0026] 4. Away Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): The RWMS allows for the user to place the water system andwater heater in the off position. This is used for extended periodswhere the user intends to vacate the property, but does not wish tofully purge the water system. This mode is the Emergency Off Mode aswell, although a button is designed on the Controller Face that allowsfor Instant Off without having to enter the menu system. It isnoteworthy that instant off mode if connected to an electric waterheater could also be used in the event of electrical fire at the waterheater itself. Instructions with the unit will teach the user to simplypress the Instant Off button either in an emergency or when going awayfor brief periods. If the user is planning to be away from the dwellingor structure for extended periods it would be best to use the MenuSystem to activate the Away Mode, since through this mechanism the RWMScan be programmed to automatically awaken the water system and waterheater by calendar date and time, thus preparing adequate hot watersupplies for on demand use when the user returns while providingprotection from catastrophic damage prior to the users return to thedwelling or small business structure. This mode absolutely assures thatdamage and water waste cannot occur since the water system will betotally disabled by activation of the Main Water Solenoid Valve andcannot flow beyond that which would leak from the volume of wateralready existing in the closed water system beyond the Main SolenoidValve. Away Mode differs from Sleep Mode in that a Pressure Anomaly willnot trigger the system to turn the water back on, but instead wouldtrigger the system to report a leak since the closed system wouldexperience a complete decrease in pressure. This loss of pressure can besimulated in ANY water system which has been turned off at the source,by opening a faucet and watching an initial water flow of significancewhich then decreases in volume until there is No Flow at all, sincestatic system pressure, decreases to No Pressure when disconnected fromthe pressure source, normally being Utility Water Supply or Well Head ifthere is a point in which flow is allowed.

[0027] 5. Purge Mode: (By this name or having any operational mode namein which): Used When the home or business owner needs the added securityof being able to remove the water from their plumbing system. Bestexample would be for those times when users located geographically inareas of extreme cold wish to vacate their property without the damageand water waste associated with busted plumbing due to freezing. Theuser would place the RWMS system into Purge Mode, and the solenoids:would all open in the manner already described until the user wassatisfied that the water had discontinued to flow from the drain. Theuser would then go back to controller and complete the purge mode, whichwould also place the RWMS in the fully OFF position.

[0028] 1^(st), the main water shut off solenoid will disable watersupply just beyond the meter and if so equipped an electrical relay willdisable water heater. (At the Well Head in rural settings)

[0029] 2^(nd), the drain solenoid would be opened followed by oraccompanied by

[0030] 3^(rd), the vacuum release solenoid would be opened. The finalprocess is that the RWMS Controller returns the drain and vacuum releasesolenoid valves to prior positions respective to each. Also since thememory of last Mode is stored in Non-Volatile Memory or memory which isnot lost when power is off for any length of time, the mode of operationwill remain Purge, even if Commercial Power is lost and regained severaltimes during the absence of the property owner/user.

[0031] 6. Locate Mode: (This function is proper installation dependant)Once a leak is detected, then it can be extremely helpful for the systemto also help to determine location to the degree of answering thequestion(s): “Is the leak between the point in which the user isresponsible for water (POR) and point of entry (POE) to the dwelling orbusiness Also Known As (AKA) the supply line, or is it beyond the Pointof Entry (POE) in the structural plumbing, or do both of these mainplumbing system sections have leaks?” The information that followscouples this functionality with very important Installation Instructionwhich if not followed by RWMS installer would negate its usefulness.Instructions with the system, and provided via other media, willinstruct the user to install a solenoid valve optionally elected forsupport of the Locate Mode, and not part of a Basic Residential WaterManagement System which MUST BE at or nearest possible to the Point ofEntry. Also a second pressure sensor is installed which is optional tothe Locate Mode and is installed at any convenient point in the plumbingsystem which is beyond the Point of Entry (POE), and is specificallyused to determine the answer to the question mentioned in the firstparagraph of this mode description. Since each side of the twoidentified sections of plumbing mentioned in this modes description haveseparate pressure sensors, then the system can determine with a singletest cycle as to whether one side or even both sides demonstrateintelligible reductions in pressure that would represent that a plumbingsystem is NOT sealed and which constitute leak associated flow. The unitwill watch Pressure on the Supply Side and on the Property Sidesimultaneously during this Mode, which is in fact a testing mode. Inthis way even smaller Leaks will be found by the RWMS system and repairwill be aided by directing searches for the source to that or thosesides of the plumbing where the RWMS determined that a leak existed.This can save time and money for the property owner whether the leak isfound and repaired by them or through private business with a LicensedPlumbing Service in their business area

[0032] 7. Water Counter or “Count” Mode: (By this name or having anyoperational mode name in which): Encouragement of “grass root” publicparticipation in Conservation efforts of Water Utilities, Counsels,Board and Conservation Agencies, whom propagate instructions to usersfor such participation which read “To determine water usage over a givenperiod of time, locate your water meter box, then read the current meterreading, then perform a conversion calculation to convert this readingfrom Cubic Feet of Water to Gallons of Water, then subtract any previousamount in gallons from the current reading in gallons, but do notinclude the last two numbers since they are 100ths of Cubic Feet ofWater Usage, and not whole numbers of Cubic Feet of Water Usage”. Theseconvoluted and confusing instructions also require many trips to thewater meter to perform and do not elicit numbers of willing participantsfrom the target group for this product to actively participate in whatcould be very successful Water Conservation Programs in each and everyWater District, Board or Utility across the United States and abroad.However, the RWMS is uniquely designed to meet this need by providingeasily acquired “counting” of water usage which will encourage andelicit Water Conservation Planning at the grass roots level, since theRWMS will allow the user to simply gain this needed data by followingthe very easy steps/instructions provided with the RWMS Device Packagingand on other media such as Websites:

[0033] Before you use the water, press the menu button on the RWMSController Now press the number of the Water counter Mode seen in themenu on the keypad of the RWMS Controller Device. The device begins acount from zero. (0) in gallons, and displays onscreen that a count isunderway, with instruction onscreen for user to complete water usageactivity and return to the RWMS Controller and Press Enter/Re-Set buttonto get the results.

[0034] User returns to RWMS controller and presses the Enter/Resetoption on the Electronic Controller Unit.

[0035] User receives instant count of water usage during activity whichis displayed onscreen and or electronically voice simulated, and as anexample would display or say “The total amount used during this countwas “XXX” Gallons.

[0036] Controller device prompts user to either return to water countingmode, or to return the main menu.

[0037] This feature will readily encourage Home and Small Businesses todevelop Water Conserving Habits that reduce their usage, thus providingadditional Trillions of Gallons of water savings per Water District, andqualifying the RWMS as a one of a kind innovative technology whichsupports Water Conservation by encouraging grass root levelparticipation by Residents and Businesses, their family members and orstaff. It is therefore reasonably expected that public WaterConservation Participation would increase in numbers which would dwarfcurrent participation with the RWMS as the Innovative Tool which allowsfor “Painless” acquisition of the timely data points which are the mostparamount element for effective Home and or Small Business WaterConservation Planning and Programs. Plainly said, The RWMS will makewater conservation an easy and fun project for families and businesses.Packaging of the RWMS product should include educational video aboutHome and Small Business Water Usage and Conservation needs, plus includea tracking chart so that families can make Water Conservation a funhabit, with a chart to track the progress at either the home or smallbusiness. The RWMS Electronic Controller is in constant communicationwith the Flow Counter/Sensor for the purpose of storing total waterusage information. This same Flow Counter/Sensor is also used duringWater Counter Mode to capture individual usage for Conservation.Participation purposes, while at the same time any amount of water usedwill still be recorded in total usage for statistical recall anddisplay.

[0038] 8. Echo Alert Mode (By this name or having any operational modename in which): The device will receive signals from either a watersoftening apparatus or a filtering apparatus, which will send signal tothe RWMS Controller when needed maintenance actions are required such asreplacement of filters or addition of softening agents. The RWMS unitwill respond to this signal by producing both visual and audiblenotifications of these conditions.

[0039] Installation Requirements: (Also visually determinable byexamination of RWMS Drawing #1)

[0040] Shut Off Solenoid and Pressure Sensor should be installed at ornearest possibly to the property Point Of Responsibility (POR), which inmost cases is the Utility Provided Water Meter, or where well water isused this point is represented by the Well Head. If possible, a mineralfiltering device is recommended for prevention of deposit build up whichcan lessen the life expectancy of the pressure and flow sensing devices,however is not a requirement nor a part of the subject of this PatentApplication. Wiring to connect the Solenoid Valve(s), and the PressureSensor(s) to the Controller should be buried underground. Since thefunction of the Flow Detection Device is dedicated to flows which wouldonly occur in the structure piping branches, it is recommended that itbe installed beyond the Point of Entry (POE), but before any branchingof the plumbing system to assure that any flow of water to any waterusing fixture or appliance be through the flow counter and not beyondit. The installation of the Flow Counter/Sensor is ideally recommendedto be inside the structure, which will add to its expected usable andfunctionally accurate life. Ideally the Pressure Sensor will beincorporated into the design of the Shut Off Solenoid, but will functionproperly if installed as separate item beyond the Main ElectricallyActuated Solenoid Valve. If the Locate Mode is chosen to be active bythe RWMS user, then the additional Locate Mode Pressure sensor may beinstalled at any point in the plumbing that is beyond the Point of Entry(POE).

[0041] Drain Solenoid should be placed at the lowest point (determinable& accessible by installer) in the water system past the point of entryinto the structure. A pipe/conduit extending from that point, outsidethe structure, should be plumbed to elbow above ground level, and belowthe level of the plumbing itself. Water from the plumbing will drainoutside from this solenoid when the Purge Mode (Optional) is activated.It is noteworthy that this could be even more water conservationoriented if drained water were directed to landscaping areas, whichwould benefit from the water. In situations where the User's Propertyincludes subterranean (below ground) areas such as basements, anoptional kit with an Electric Pump will be available, and connectionsfor such a device will exist in all units produced. The pump wouldassure complete evacuation of water from a water system and could beelected by those not having subterranean areas as well. Vacuum ReleaseSolenoid will be installed inline with the plumbing at the Highest Pointwhere any piping exists above ground level, and will allow air into thesystem to maximize the amount of water drained by preventing vacuum inthe plumbing during the purge/drain. A Pump would be necessary toassure, 100% evacuation, but the gravity/siphon method should be morethan adequate to prevent freezing and bursting of water system pipingwhere no subterranean piping exists.

[0042] At a convenient point (as best determined by the installer) theLocate Solenoid (If Locate Mode is chosen by user to be available andactive) should be installed. It is noteworthy to mention that manystructures have a manually operated valve at the Point of Entry, and theuse of this valve will substitute for the Locate Solenoid, but willrequire that the user manually close this valve to run the Locate Modetest. The Locate Mode Pressure. Sensor is however a must installationfor the Locate Mode to correctly function and may be installed at anypoint beyond the Point of Entry (POE).

[0043] While the above describes in detail the RWMS or Residential WaterManagement System, it is not limited to any exact form, and changes inits detail and or construction methods would not reflect a departurefrom the spirit thereof. NOTE: The main solenoid valve employed by theRWMS differs from most. Most are simply either “Normally On” or“Normally Off”, and require constant electrical energy to maintain theopposite of their normal condition or state. The solenoid valve used bythe RWMS has been specifically adapted with a locking mechanism whichforces the valve to stay in the last state, even when commercial and orbattery power is lost. This unique feature allows for the system toremain in last state until a separate unlatching signal is sent whichallows the solenoid to spring back into its normal state. This valvespecifically is a locking bi positional normally on valve. This valvealso reports to the Controller through special lines in wiring so thatthe Controller can discontinue electrical energy to the solenoid oncethe “locked” signal is received. This application does not make CLAIMfor any rights to said solenoid valve, but rather describes it as a partof the RWMS System. Also the valves have a manual lever which allows thehome owner to manually select the on or off position should the needarrise.

I, (we) claim:
 1. A Logic Based Electronic Controller for managing theflow of water through a piping system, the supply being a main watersupply line from either a utility or from a well head which communicatesflow and pressure along piping to the residential or small businessproperty, a plurality of electrically actuated solenoid valves for flowcontrol into the piping from the supply including a main shut off valveand a solenoid actuated valve for dividing the piping of independentusage at the property into two sections called the supply (and supplybeing all of the piping from the supply source to the point of entryinto the property) and the structure piping (being all piping to includebranches that are beyond the point of entry), and a solenoid actuatedvalve for draining the piping, and a solenoid actuated valve forprevention of vacuum during the drain, a water pressure sensor locatedboth at the beginning of the supply and at the beginning of thestructure piping, a flow sensor being at the beginning of the structurepiping, and all sensors being for the purpose of sending signal relatingto their sensing meaning a pressure sensor delivers signal relative tocurrent piping pressures and a flow sensor delivers signal relative tocurrent flow within a piping system, a thermal sensor communicating withcontroller to deliver signals relating to current temperature of waterin hot water heater inline with said piping system, a electrical relaybeing able to remove and or supply water heater with supply electricalcurrent. Specifically the solenoid actuated valve employed as the mainvalve for the RWMS system is a bi-positional valve that requiresindependent signals to place it in either the Open or Closed states;being best described as: . . . a full and complete Water ManagementSystem developed into a single programmable electronic controllerspecifically designed to both aid in Water Conservation, and providefull control and monitoring of all aspects of a plumbing system,including Water Usage Counting, Flow Control, Leak Detection,Programmable Modes, Water Heater on/off, hot water temperature andirrigation/sprinkler system(s); A device which allows the user tomonitor, control, purge and adjust the entirity of a plumbing system; Adevice which applies the principle . . . “increased pressureIS=decreased flow” . . . , therefore “stable pressure IS ALSO=absence offlow”, to facilitate a completely accurate method of leak detection inplumbing; A device which provides property damage prevention, reducedopportunity for toxic mold development, resulting in more healthy livingenvironment(s); An Innovative Technologies Approach to WaterConservation and user friendly tool, to develop, monitor and participatein the urgent need to conserve drinking water resources. With saidController Comprising: flow control means controlling the flow of waterthrough any piping beyond valves of control in response to pressureanomalies which trigger a counting of water until a user programmedamount in gallons has been reached; device means Logic Based ElectronicController in communications with all peripheral items which constitutea method of control and usage monitoring for water piping systems;pressure anomaly/anomalies means a point in which stable pressure withina piping system reduces in percentage by an amount relevant to a logicaldecision that water is in some way escaping a piping system; benchmarkmeans the stable pressure in a water piping system at the point in whicha measurement of said pressure is taken and or any predetermination ofstable pressure in time to allow for temperature and barometric pressureeffects on stable water pressures over time; water piping system(s)means any piping existing beyond a source of supply; installation meansthe performing of physical acts to place the device and the minimumdescribed peripherals herein and or any additional peripherals alsodescribed herein into operation in a residential or business propertyand with operational limits which are established to match or meet theflow control values best determined at this time to optimize theoperational functionality for said property; plumbing and or pipingsystem means an interchangeable word or phrase which both have the sameintended meaning and describe a system of conduit in which water flowsfrom a source of that water to the intended usage point includingperipheral items such as a water heater.
 2. A device, as claimed inclaim 1 wherein: a response from a signal communicated from a pressuresensor affixed inline with a piping system representing a pressureanomaly as described herein is received by a Logic Based ElectronicController which then causes a main valve located at or nearest to asource of water to open until said pressure sensor communicates thatpressure in same piping system has returned to the stable pressure levelwhich existed prior to pressure anomaly or to a pressure lower or higherthan that which existed prior to pressure anomaly provided that saidpressure is stable for a period of time to represent a new benchmark ofwater pressure within same piping system.
 3. A device, as claimed inclaim 2 wherein also: response to a pressure anomaly causescommunication between device and a water flow counting sensor affixedinline with a piping system to determine in gallons and with reasonableaccuracy the volume of water which flows through said piping during saidanomaly and to terminate the flow at or nearest to the source of flow ifan amount is reached which equals or exceeds a pre-programmed volume ingallons as determined at time of installation as described herein.
 4. Adevice, as claimed in claim 2 wherein also: device will return to astate of monitoring when or if a single anomaly event does not cause atotal flow in gallons equal to the amount as specified in claim
 3. 5. Adevice, as claimed in claim 1 further including: multiple operationalcharacteristics or functionalities known as modes in which each modevaries in purpose and directly enable functional and or operationalcharacteristics which facilitate and or support accomplishment of same.6. A device, as claimed in claim 5 wherein specifically: a mode ofoperation being called “On Mode”, or by any other name in which thedevice causes a full state of water flow through a piping system withoutany restriction as to the amount of flow in gallons which occur duringsuch time as this mode is the current state of operational selection bythe owner/user of device.
 7. A device, as claimed in claim 5, whereinspecifically: a mode of operation being called “Watch Mode”, or by anyother name in which the device is triggered by a pressure anomaly andthen allows for flows in gallons of water through a piping system asprogrammed by the owner/user until the volume of said flow reaches aprogrammed volume in gallons and device responds by terminating all flowand produces both audible and visual notifications to user and whichrequire user intervention to re-set device to continue any additionalflow.
 8. A device, as claimed in claim 7 wherein also: a mode ofoperation being called “Watch Mode”, or by any other name in which thedevice monitors for pressure anomaly and further determines rate ofpressure decrease over time during said anomaly to logically determinewhether rate of pressure decrease logically represents a small volume offlow equal to that which is consistent with a small leak or a morecontinuous and or voluminous flow which would be logically determined tobe intentional usage and where the device will produce audible andvisual alerts if the pressure decrease over time logically represents asmall volume of total flow.
 9. A device, as claimed in claim 5, whereinspecifically: a mode of operation being called “Away Mode”, or by anyother name in which the owner/user causes device to communicate with amain valve located at or nearest to a source of supply to discontinueany flow through a piping system beyond said valve and also may cause awater heater to be operationally disabled and under which operationalcondition no flow of water may occur in said piping system until suchtime that the owner/user cause the device to be removed from said mode.10. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein specifically: a mode ofoperation being called “Purge Mode”, or by any other name in which theowner/user causes device to communicate with a main valve to discontinueany flow or re-pressurizing of a water piping system beyond said valve,and causes communication with a drain valve being caused to open toallow for existing water volumes to be encouraged by gravitational andor siphon forces to be evacuated from a piping system, and where devicecommunicates with a vacuum release valve to open to allow for air toenter a piping system to further facilitate the evacuation of volumes ofwater from a piping system, and where the said drain and vacuum releasevalves remain open until the owner/user causes device to communicatesignals to cause said drain and vacuum release valves to close and wherea signal may also cause the opening of a solenoid actuated valve at thedrain of a hot water heater as to also cause the evacuation of volumesof existing water in said heater which is also closed when owner/usercauses said drain and vacuum valves to close.
 11. A device, as claimedin claim 10, wherein also: a signal may also be given to an electricallyoperated pump for the purpose of assuring total evacuation of any volumeof water which may exist in a piping system being disconnected from itssupply.
 12. A device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein also: user/ownermust cause the device to vacate said mode to cause the device to returnto the normal operation mode as described in claim 7 and subsequentclaims relating to claim 7 which results in a signal to the main valveto open and allow for the re-connection to main water supply.
 13. Adevice, as claimed in claim 5, wherein specifically: a mode of operationbeing called “Locate Mode”, or by any other name in which the devicecauses a main valve located at the main supply line to close and alocate valve located at the point of entry to the structure to close,and where the device then monitors signals from two pressure sensorswhich are located beyond each of these said valves for a period of timesufficient to determine which sensor demonstrates a decrease in pressurefor the purpose of a determination of which section or sections of apiping system is or are leaking at any point within said section.
 14. Adevice, as claimed in claim 13, wherein also: a display of the result ofthe separate monitoring of signals from the two pressure sensors givesthe owner/user results from the test which indicate whether a pressurereduction condition is found to have existed on the supply piping or thestructure piping or both and this pressure reduction being sufficient tologically determine or establish that a leak is present and where thismode may be manually initiated by the owner/user or automatic inresponse to a leak determination in any other mode.
 15. A device, asclaimed in claim 5, wherein specifically: a mode of operation beingcalled “Water Counter Mode” or by any other name in which the devicecauses the setting of an internal counter to be zero (0) and which thedevice communicates with a flow counting sensor which delivers signalrelating to water flow in gallons to incrementally increase the counterto reflect an amount which flows and visually display this informationto owner/user on a screen which is affixed to the face of the device andor utilize voice synthesis to simulate a human speech to audibly emitunderstandable language which reflect this amount in gallons.
 16. Adevice, as claimed in claim 5, wherein specifically: a mode of operationbeing called “Sleep Mode” or by any other name in which the owner/userprograms times of day in which the device causes the main valve to closeand then where signals are communicated from the main pressure sensorwhich represent the maintenance of static pressure or the decrease instatic pressure which the later is known as an anomaly and causes saidclosure and where a signal may be sent to cause an electrically actuatedrelay to disconnect the electrical supply to a water heater and wherethis mode is automatically entered and exited from as programmed by theOwner/User.
 17. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein also: apressure anomaly will cause the opening of the main valve to re-supplyvolume and pressure to a piping system and where a flow counting sensordelivers signal relative to amount of flow in gallons and where the mainvalve will be caused to close if an amount of flow in gallons is reachedwhich is programmed by the owner/user and this amount is limited to amaximum programmable setting determined during installation of deviceand where a visible and or audible alert is provided to the owner/userby the controller device and where the device will return to a state ofmonitoring should the programmed flow amount not be reached during asingle pressure anomaly condition.
 18. A device, as claimed in claim 16,wherein also: Owner/User can store into internal memory a programmingfor three (3) daily times for the device to automatically enter thismode during the normal working week meaning that time normallyconsidered to be beginning at midnight on each Sunday and ending at fouro'clock p.m. on each Friday but being able to be determined by each userby programming specific to their own normal schedule.
 19. A device, asclaimed in claim 16, wherein also: Owner/User can store into internalmemory a programming for three (3) daily times for the device toautomatically enter this mode during the normal weekend meaning thattime normally considered to be beginning at four o'clock p.m. on eachFriday and ending at midnight on each Sunday but being able to bedetermined by each user by programming specific to their own normalschedule.
 20. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein also: a user mayby programming control the operation of a plurality of valves which areopened and closed again as programmed for areas or zones of control forthe purpose of irrigation and where all other device programming may bevacated to allow for such flow as is necessary to meet either timing offlow or specific flow in gallons programming by the Owner/User.
 21. Adevice, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: Owner/User may cause the deviceto visually display information about total amounts of water usage ingallons relating to daily and weekly and monthly and for the period ofthe previous twelve (12) months for the purpose of supporting homeconservation programs or validating customer water billing statements.22. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: Owner/User may program anamount know as “Daily Usage Alarm” or by any other name in which a setamount of daily water usage in gallons is determined by the user to be agoal for maximum daily usage and audible and visual alarms are producedby the device if this amount is exceeded.
 23. A device, as claimed inclaim 1, further including: that the User interacts with onscreen menusand sub menu systems currently being called “Set-Up” and “Mode” or byany other name or names in which this is accomplished, and in whichvarious run time settings and entry to various operational modes areaccomplished.
 24. A device, as claimed in claim 23, wherein also: Usermay program a temperature in which their water heater operates within arange of normal temperatures of such operation.
 25. A device, as claimedin claim 1, wherein: programming internal to device provides contactinformation about a specific plumbing service or company includingservice or company name and telephone number as an On Screen Display andin response to any leak determination logically made by device.
 26. Adevice, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: signals received from a watersoftening or filtering device which represent the need for userintervention for a maintenance action for said device cause audible andvisual alarms at the controller
 27. A device, as claimed in claim 1,wherein: device specific operational characteristics directly supportWater Conservation and specifically by providing user with real time andeasily acquired information necessary to develop and implementsuccessful home water conservation plans and or programs and by allowinguser to establish a daily water usage expectation in gallons that ifexceeded will notify user both audibly and visually and by prompting ofuser to have leaky plumbing repaired.